“I believe my life only has meaning if it reduces some amount of suffering.” "I think I was born interested in animals, but it's not so much interested in animals as I seriously don't see the difference between an ant, a dog, an elephant, me. So, I was born with that kind of awareness." "Unless… Continue reading “REDUCING SUFFERING: DEFENDING THE VOICELESS IN INDIA”: On Animals, Women and Courage an interview with Maneka Gandhi (Dakini Conversations: Ep. 10)
Tag: 17th karmapa
“JOYFUL NECTAR OF IMMORTALITY”: NEW WHITE TĀRĀ LIFE-STABILITY PRACTICE IN THE KARMA KAGYU TRADITION. Translation of Introduction to 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s new White Tārā life-stability practice
"The yidam of the Lineage lamas. A continuously arising sign of accomplishment. An exceptionally outstanding instruction. It is praised as having one hundred and eight complete methods from the practice methods of the ocean of various activities." --2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi "Most of the Jowo [Atisha] tradition of White Tārā that became a great chariot… Continue reading “JOYFUL NECTAR OF IMMORTALITY”: NEW WHITE TĀRĀ LIFE-STABILITY PRACTICE IN THE KARMA KAGYU TRADITION. Translation of Introduction to 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s new White Tārā life-stability practice
NOTHING LEFT BUT A MERE NAME: Documenting the ruins of two 14th Century Karma Kagyu monasteries, destroyed or taken over by Mongolian-Gelugpa sectarians
“Leaving nothing behind but a name” མིང་གི་ལྷག་མ་ཙམ་དུ་གྱུར་ –-Tibetan idiom used to describe success at totally destroying so-called “enemies” As I wrote about in A TIBETAN TRAVESTY: DESTRUCTION AND APPROPRIATION OF KARMA KAGYU/8TH KARMAPA'S MANY MONASTERIES, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje recently taught about the reasons why 8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje newly established many… Continue reading NOTHING LEFT BUT A MERE NAME: Documenting the ruins of two 14th Century Karma Kagyu monasteries, destroyed or taken over by Mongolian-Gelugpa sectarians
“Pictures speak a thousand words”: All-male guest line-up photos for Bhutanese Global Peace Prayer Festival
A couple of weeks ago some photos appeared online advertising the line-up of confirmed guests for the upcoming Global Peace prayer festival in Thimphu, Bhutan (November 4th-11th) . It is fortunate to have realised Buddhist masters with pure lineages, such as HE 12th Tai Situpa and Gyaltsab Rinpoche, to join together and have Buddhist event… Continue reading “Pictures speak a thousand words”: All-male guest line-up photos for Bhutanese Global Peace Prayer Festival
WHERE ARE THE WOMEN AND NO MUTUAL NON-SECTARIAN RESPECT: Noble Tārā statues but no actual “wisdom” women and no prostrations offered to 12th Tai Situpa by Gelugpa monks
It was saddening (but not surprising) to see video and photos released yesterday, spread widely among the Tibetan media outlets, of the great 12th Khentin Tai Situpa (who is also elderly and suffering from various physical ailments) offering three "unnaturally" long prostrations on his knees for an all-male long-life offering ceremony to the 14th Dalai… Continue reading WHERE ARE THE WOMEN AND NO MUTUAL NON-SECTARIAN RESPECT: Noble Tārā statues but no actual “wisdom” women and no prostrations offered to 12th Tai Situpa by Gelugpa monks
Remembering Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892)
Today, is the anniversary of the great scholar, practitioner and thinker, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892). From 2018-2020, I enthusiastically and voluntarily wrote various research articles, translations on or about the first Jamyang Khyentse, and a pilgrimage visit to Sikkim to see the former residence of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro. This culminated in my attending the… Continue reading Remembering Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892)
SMALL LAYWOMAN “PRIVATE” GATHERING FOR 17TH KARMAPA’S PREMIERE OF NEW TARA PRACTICE: 17th Gyalwang Karmapa performs new Red Tara four-fold Mandala offering sadhana for first time in presence of two Kagyu tulkus and small group of laywomen
Today, it was announced on Facebook by the Zurmang Kagyu Buddhist Society Nepal (with an accompanying short video clip) that on 21st February 2025, HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa performed for the first time, in the presence of HE Dilyag Rinpoche and HE Zurmang Rinpoche (a couple of other monastics) and a small group of about… Continue reading SMALL LAYWOMAN “PRIVATE” GATHERING FOR 17TH KARMAPA’S PREMIERE OF NEW TARA PRACTICE: 17th Gyalwang Karmapa performs new Red Tara four-fold Mandala offering sadhana for first time in presence of two Kagyu tulkus and small group of laywomen
“SWEEP THE SNOW OFF YOUR OWN HEAD/ROOF”: 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s new thangka artwork of 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa and his oral instructions on the important qualities of a student and guru (English translation)
“The dull-witted[1] follow faith [without wisdom].” If you don't have wisdom, you also do not want to understand/explain the Dharma. It is difficult to believe that this is the right thing to do. Also, being deceived by a false spiritual teacher is effortless, it is said.” “A guru must have renounced attachment to this life;… Continue reading “SWEEP THE SNOW OFF YOUR OWN HEAD/ROOF”: 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s new thangka artwork of 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa and his oral instructions on the important qualities of a student and guru (English translation)
FROM TANTRIC YOGI OF UNCONVENTIONAL CONDUCT (TUL-ZHUG) TO FULLY ORDAINED MONK: Reasons why Je Atisha became a monastic, his name and meaning, studies and main gurus (17th Karmapa (Day 2, 2025)
On the second day (7th February 2025) of the 39th Kagyu Monlam teachings on the life of Jowo Je Atisha, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (repeating most of the teaching he gave in 2023 on the topic), explained the following: Reasons/signs why the tantric yogi Atisha took monastic ordination after years as a secret mantra yogi… Continue reading FROM TANTRIC YOGI OF UNCONVENTIONAL CONDUCT (TUL-ZHUG) TO FULLY ORDAINED MONK: Reasons why Je Atisha became a monastic, his name and meaning, studies and main gurus (17th Karmapa (Day 2, 2025)
“BE FLEXIBLE AND FREE AS A SNAKE!”: Chinese Lunar New Year 2025 message from 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (English translation)
"Snakes are flexible and resilient, implying that when we face the uncertainties of life, we must respond with skill and flexibility. Snakes can shed their skin and be reborn, reminding us that we should always practice meditation to transform our habits and grow and transform." --17th Karmapa's Chinese New Year message (2025) Today is the… Continue reading “BE FLEXIBLE AND FREE AS A SNAKE!”: Chinese Lunar New Year 2025 message from 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (English translation)